Chapter 6- The Xmas Ball
Life slowly came back to normal within Hogwarts. Most of the security within the castle was lifted, as Christmas approached. A few weeks before Christmas, Dumbledore announced the Christmas ball, a new tradition that he wished to inaugurate at Hogwarts. Everyone was pleased, even Harry, who now had a partner. The same evening, he asked Helena to be his date at the ball and Ron asked Hermione the same thing. They were both accepted. Two weeks before Christmas, the second quidditch game of the year took place and Ravenclaw flattened Hufflepuff with 170-30, Cho catching the Snitch after only 15 minutes. Malfoy returned one week before Christmas almost fully healed. He still winced when someone pronounced the word toilet, but that wasn't going to stop him from playing Quidditch. Fred and George got detention for making the ghost of a toilet haunt him. Also one week before Christmas, Harry and Ron stumbled across a secret room within Hogwarts. There they found the lonely ghost of a guy called Michael Flatly. He had offered himself to teach them how to dance and they accepted happily. Harry and Ron were sneaking every night in the room and, after 5 days, Michael had to say that: - You two are natural talents! I dare say you will not experience any difficulties at the ball. But remember, I will be watching you! And then Christmas arrived. Harry woke up in the morning screaming: "Presents!" Indeed in front of him, he saw a great stack of boxes, wrapped in colored paper. Hastily he unwrapped the usual Weasley-sweater, with a model of him pulling out of a dive, a great box of Hagrid-sweets, a Remebrall from Ron and a box of "Broomstick- Care Oils" from Hermione. The Dursley's had sent him, for some unknown reason, a bouquet of flowers. Sirius and Remus had sent him an "Updated Marauder's Map, only readable by 20 or younger" with a note pinned to it: "Harry, Merry Christmas! We succeeded to put this thing together. The password is the same. Only that...we don't really know if it works, because of the age enchantment..." Harry smiled and then opened the last package. It was from Helena. It contained a small book of Haiku's. They were small poems dedicated to one of the four seasons. He decided to always have the book with him, and then got dressed and, followed by Ron went down into the common room. There, Helena and Hermione were already waiting for them and they all went down to breakfast. Everyone was talking happily about the ball. After breakfast, all Gryffindors went out and had a snowball fight. The evening approached slowly. Round 5 o'clock, the girls left to prepare. Harry and Ron went to see Michael for the last time. He gave them a few advises and then began to cry. Harry and Ron tried to calm him down, but didn't succeed and were fortunately saved by the ghost of a beautiful young woman. Exiting the room, they ran into Malfoy, who was closely followed by Crabbe and Goyle:
- Watch where you step, Potter! he said, on a disgusted tone. - Toilet! whispered Harry. Malfoy turned around, fear in his eyes and then frowned: - Think you're being funny, Potter? How's this for funny? Lavationus Humor Mucosis!!! (Latin- Booger Bath) Harry smiled and stretched his hand: - No. The curse dissolved. Malfoy's jaw dropped. Ron laughed - That didn't work... Why don't you try again, Malfoy? - LAVATIONUS HUMOR MUCOSIS KEDAVRA FURNUNCULUS PETRIFICUS MAGNUS TANTA IGNIS INCENDIO TORTURAE AQUA VENTUS URINA!!!!!!!!! Malfoy stopped panting. About 20 or 30 curses were heading straight for Harry. - No, he said. And the curses dissolved. Harry then took his wand out of his robes, pointed it towards Malfoy and said: - Vis Orbis! Ron's jaw dropped. Malfoy went white. A great energy sphere appeared at the tip of Harry's wand. - RUN!!! Malfoy screamed and then turned away, closely followed by his cronies. - Harry, stop! Ron screamed. And Harry lowered his wand. The sphere disappeared with a faint POP. - Got'em again... Ron looked at him for a moment and then laughed. Soon, it was 7 o'clock. Harry and Ron dressed. Ron had received a new dress- robe from Fred and George for Christmas. It was black and stylish. Ron admired himself in the mirror and grinned evilly. Then, he and Harry went down to the common room. The waited for about 5 minutes and then Helena and Hermione appeared. And suddenly the room was silent. No one moved, no one breathed. Everybody was looking at the two angels that were descending with infinite grace into the world of the mortals. Hermione had a black night gown, with subtle sparkles appearing upon its surface when light hit it. Her hair was left loose and was beautifully floating above her white shoulders. Slowly she glided towards Ron. As for Helena, she was absolutely gorgeous. She was wearing a white dress that contrasted beautifully with her long, dark hair. An aura of light seemed to surround her as she floated towards a breathless Harry. - Shall we? she asked. - Yes...You...We...Now...Um.... Helena laughed and then said: - What's the matter, Harry? - I...um... You are so beautiful! - Thanks! Meanwhile, Hermione was trying to remember the counter-curse to the stunning spell, because Ron seemed to be under its influence. She raised her wand and then Ron spoke: - Stop... What... - Oh, Ron...I thought someone had stunned you... - Yes...Someone did stun me...You did! You look absolutely....Smashing! Hermione smiled and Ron reached her his hand, as Michael had taught him. Harry did the same with Helena and the four left the common room, followed by the gazes of stunned Gryffindors. In front of the Great Hall, a large group of students were gathered waiting for the moment when the doors would open. As Harry, Helena, Ron and Hemione approached them, all conversations stopped. Feeling strange, they advanced through the group of students and, fortunately, the doors opened the moment they arrived in front of them. The Great Hall was decorated like in fairy-tales. White lace covered the walls. Hundreds of tables were arranged in front of a large, empty space. The teacher's table was full of plates, filled with food, sweets and drinks. Albus Dumbledore was waiting for the students. Soon, the Hall filled. Harry, Helena, Ron and Hermione sat at a table in front of the dancing ring. And then, Dumbledore said: - Welcome! Welcome to the Hogwarts Christmas Ball, a new tradition here at Hogwarts. The ball, as you know is open for all students. Those being said, have fun! Dumbledore lifted his arm and suddenly, almost all lights went out. Music started out of nowhere. Harry felt his heart sink, but then looked at Ron. Ron looked back, they both grinned and then Harry said: - Helena, would you dance with me? And Ron said: - Hermione, may I have this dance? The girls blushed, but smiled happily and got up. Soon they were on the dance floor, surrounded by some other couples. Harry was suddenly feeling as light as a feather and forgot everything else. He began to move with the rhythm, and didn't notice when everyone else stopped to make room for him and Ron. Indeed, the whole school was charmed by the two couples that were easily gliding on the dance floor. Too soon, the melody ended but was shortly followed by another one and then another. Other couples had joined Harry, Helena, Ron and Hermione but a spotlight was still focused upon them. After the fifth dance, Harry saw Michael in a far corner of the Hall smiling. Soon, in spite of the tremendous fun, Harry, Helena, Ron and Hermione were tired and had to retreat to a table. There they sat down. - My God, Harry, you really are something! You're the best dancer I've ever known! - Wait till you dance with Ron! said Hermione, kissing him on the cheek. The boys blushed. And then the room became a blur. Harry heard Ron say "He's getting into a trance again!" and then everything vanished and was replaced by the familiar room with Lily Potter standing in the middle. - Harry? Already??? Incredible! - What? said Harry, still a bit dizzy from the transfer. - You are here! Much earlier than we expected! You are truly great! - Thanks... Harry shook his head. He didn't need this now. But then he decided to hurry. He looked around. His eyes fell on the door made of the white material that resembled fog. Harry approached it. "What now?" he thought. He closed his eyes and scanned the door with his mind. Hundreds of words suddenly flooded his mind. It was as though he was in a room filled with people who were all yelling at him. He took one step back. And then he thought. To go past the door, he had to stop the voices. But why? What did those voices have to do with the door? And then he understood. He had to isolate the voice of the door! Again he approached the mass of fog. He closed his eyes and the voices flooded him. But then he concentrated on the door. On the mass of fog, the white, moving mass of fog... And the voices started to fade. Soon only one voice remained. - What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? it was repeating annoyingly. - Open! said Harry. Nothing. No sound... Harry opened his eyes. In front of him, there was a small corridor and a small, white, wooden door. Harry approached it. - Alohomora. he said. Nothing. He scanned the door. It was sealed in five different places. He scanned the area with his mind. No switch, no button, no key. Something was not right. And then he had a sudden idea. He stepped back, lifted his arm and said: "Vis Orbis!" and then quickly: "Praesidium!" The energy sphere collided with the door. After the flash of light dispersed, Harry opened his eyes. The door was unharmed. Puzzled, Harry approached the door again. He closed his eyes and touched it. Nothing. And then he scanned the area beneath the door. To Harry's surprise it was a small room and in the middle of it, he felt a person. It was probably a girl, because she was wearing a dress and she had long hair. "Now what?" Harry thought. And then he understood. Telepathy! If the first probe was Telekinesis, this one had to be Telepathy! He had to contact the girl on the other side of the door and ask her to open the door. He concentrated. He felt his mind alone, floating in a dark, unfriendly space. And then he imagined the mind of the girl close to him. - Hello, he said to it. Nothing. He concentrated harder. - Hello, he said again. And this time, she answered from somewhere far, far away. - Harry? Harry? What's going on? I can't see anything! - Helena? - Yes, it's me! - What happened? - I don't know... After you slipped into the trance, the whole room became a blur and I was transported here. And it's all dark, and I can't see anything! - You are in a small room... And I think you're supposed to let me in... - I am? But how... Oh! Oh... - What? - There's a key in my hand! - Really? Oh, yes! I can feel it! Hang on, I'm coming! Harry opened his eyes. He could still feel the key in Helena's hand. Using the Telekinesis he grabbed it with his mind and inserted it in the keyhole on the other side of the door. Slowly, it opened. Harry realized he could use the Telekinesis much better now but then he saw Helena. She was looking curiously around. As the door had opened, the room had filled with light. The walls were made from the same material as the door and the floor was like a big cloud. - Wow, Harry! I love this place! What is it? - That's what I'm trying to find out... Anyway, soon we will be transported back... Get ready. - Ok... A few moments passed. And then Harry scanned the surroundings with his mind. And he heard a voice... It was his mother. He concentrated on her. "Harry! Come here! In the main room. Please!" she said. Harry took Helena by her hand and then went into the main room. There, he saw his mother talking to his father. As he approached them, James said: - Thank you Harry, for bringing me and your mother together. Harry smiled awkwardly, not knowing exactly what he had done. And then dizziness swept over him, as he was transported back to the Great Hall. There, he came face to face with Ron. He and Hermione had covered him up while he was in the trance. No one had noticed his lack of consciousness.
- Harry! You're back! - Yes... Helena? Are you ok? - Yes... That was strange! - What? asked Hermione. - I was transferred into his mind too! - You what? - Come, let's go outside! said Harry. Taking Helena's arm he followed Ron and Hermione onto the beautifully arranged terrace. There, Harry told them what had happened. - So now you can like... tell me something without speaking? - I guess... - Do it! Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on the surroundings. And then the familiar noise of hundreds of minds talking at the same time flooded him. He concentrated on Ron. Soon, the voices began to fade away, and soon there was only Ron's voice left, saying: - Oh my god! His veins are going to explode! - No, they're not, Harry said, feeling Ron jump. - Harry? That's bloody brilliant! How do you do that? - You just concentrate! Oh...OH!!! I just had an idea! - What? Ron asked. - Imagine how we're going to copy at the OWL's ! I'll just ask Hermione or Helena and then I'll tell you! - Wicked! Suddenly, Harry felt his head explode. It was too much. He fell to the ground. - Harry! Harry? Are you ok? - Yes...yes, he answered in a weak tone. Could you get me a glass of water?
- Sure, answered Ron. He ran away. A few moments passed and then Ron's scream filled the terrace.
- RON! Hermione screamed as she ran after him. Harry succeeded to get up and, followed by Helena, followed Hermione. Soon, they found her standing next to Ron. - What happened? asked Harry. - Nothing, answered Ron on a neutral tone. There was no feeling in his voice. I just tripped. - Are you sure? asked Hermione, worried. - Yes. I will get the drinks now. Hermione watched him as he disappeared behind a group of Ravenclaw's, hiding something in his pocket. Soon, Ron returned with three glasses. Two were filled with pumpkin juice. The third was filled with water. He handed the pumpkin juice to the girls and the water to Harry. Harry thanked and then approached the glass to his lips. And suddenly he felt danger. He wasn't sure why, but something told him not to drink the water. He looked at Ron and then said: - Ron... What's this? - Water, you fool! What does it look like? Harry's eyes widened. - What? - Sorry, I meant, it's water, answered Ron, annoyed. Harry looked at the water. And then he threw it away. - What did you do that for, you insolent fool?!? screamed Ron. - That was not water, and we both know it! Ron seemed to swell with rage. He raised his wand. - Expelliarmus! shouted Harry. Ron's wand disappeared somewhere in the bushes. Hermione screamed: - Harry!?! What are you doing? - Grab him! Harry shouted. Ron raised his fist. Harry ducked in time to avoid the blow. Ron raised his fist again, but Fred caught him in time. George grabbed his other hand, and then they both held Ron tightly to the floor. But Ron was still resisting with an unnatural force. - Stun him! Fred yelled. - No! Harry said. Just hold him a little while longer! - What? Ok... We'll try. Jordan, come give us a hand! George answered. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on Ron. Soon, he felt Ron's mind...And there was a foreign presence in there. "The Imperius Curse!", Harry whispered. Then he concentrated on the other presence. "Fight it, Ron, fight it!!!" He felt the other presence slowly leaving Ron's mind. "Just a little more, Ron, push it away! Hold on!" The presence was now fighting to regain control. And then Harry felt his power rise within him. He was suddenly very nervous. And he kicked the "other presence" out of his friends mind. Ron stopped struggling. Harry saw him open his eyes slowly, like after a very long sleep. And then darkness surrounded him. He woke up a few minutes later as they carried him on a stretcher to the hospital wing. Ron was walking near him, looking worried and extremely tired. Soon they arrived and Dumbledore, seeing that he's awake, told madam Pomfrey to get some kind of potion and then said: - Are you ok, Harry? - Yes, professor, I'm fine...just tired. - Ok, you will get your rest... But do you think you can explain what happened before you go to sleep? - Yes professor... Um... We heard Ron scream...and then he said he's fine...and he went to get some water. And when he came back, I just felt that there was poison in the water. - Hmmm... - And then Ron just got all nervous and I knew Ron wasn't like that, so Fred and George kept him and I... entered his mind...and I felt someone there. So I realized it has to be the Imperius curse...and I...somehow...removed it. Dumbledore looked at him for a moment and then said: - You need your rest now, Harry. After you recover...if you ever feel like...you have to say something to someone, come and pay me a visit. - Yes, professor. Madam Pomfrey arrived with a small cup of something and Harry drank it all. It tasted like strawberries.....
Life slowly came back to normal within Hogwarts. Most of the security within the castle was lifted, as Christmas approached. A few weeks before Christmas, Dumbledore announced the Christmas ball, a new tradition that he wished to inaugurate at Hogwarts. Everyone was pleased, even Harry, who now had a partner. The same evening, he asked Helena to be his date at the ball and Ron asked Hermione the same thing. They were both accepted. Two weeks before Christmas, the second quidditch game of the year took place and Ravenclaw flattened Hufflepuff with 170-30, Cho catching the Snitch after only 15 minutes. Malfoy returned one week before Christmas almost fully healed. He still winced when someone pronounced the word toilet, but that wasn't going to stop him from playing Quidditch. Fred and George got detention for making the ghost of a toilet haunt him. Also one week before Christmas, Harry and Ron stumbled across a secret room within Hogwarts. There they found the lonely ghost of a guy called Michael Flatly. He had offered himself to teach them how to dance and they accepted happily. Harry and Ron were sneaking every night in the room and, after 5 days, Michael had to say that: - You two are natural talents! I dare say you will not experience any difficulties at the ball. But remember, I will be watching you! And then Christmas arrived. Harry woke up in the morning screaming: "Presents!" Indeed in front of him, he saw a great stack of boxes, wrapped in colored paper. Hastily he unwrapped the usual Weasley-sweater, with a model of him pulling out of a dive, a great box of Hagrid-sweets, a Remebrall from Ron and a box of "Broomstick- Care Oils" from Hermione. The Dursley's had sent him, for some unknown reason, a bouquet of flowers. Sirius and Remus had sent him an "Updated Marauder's Map, only readable by 20 or younger" with a note pinned to it: "Harry, Merry Christmas! We succeeded to put this thing together. The password is the same. Only that...we don't really know if it works, because of the age enchantment..." Harry smiled and then opened the last package. It was from Helena. It contained a small book of Haiku's. They were small poems dedicated to one of the four seasons. He decided to always have the book with him, and then got dressed and, followed by Ron went down into the common room. There, Helena and Hermione were already waiting for them and they all went down to breakfast. Everyone was talking happily about the ball. After breakfast, all Gryffindors went out and had a snowball fight. The evening approached slowly. Round 5 o'clock, the girls left to prepare. Harry and Ron went to see Michael for the last time. He gave them a few advises and then began to cry. Harry and Ron tried to calm him down, but didn't succeed and were fortunately saved by the ghost of a beautiful young woman. Exiting the room, they ran into Malfoy, who was closely followed by Crabbe and Goyle:
- Watch where you step, Potter! he said, on a disgusted tone. - Toilet! whispered Harry. Malfoy turned around, fear in his eyes and then frowned: - Think you're being funny, Potter? How's this for funny? Lavationus Humor Mucosis!!! (Latin- Booger Bath) Harry smiled and stretched his hand: - No. The curse dissolved. Malfoy's jaw dropped. Ron laughed - That didn't work... Why don't you try again, Malfoy? - LAVATIONUS HUMOR MUCOSIS KEDAVRA FURNUNCULUS PETRIFICUS MAGNUS TANTA IGNIS INCENDIO TORTURAE AQUA VENTUS URINA!!!!!!!!! Malfoy stopped panting. About 20 or 30 curses were heading straight for Harry. - No, he said. And the curses dissolved. Harry then took his wand out of his robes, pointed it towards Malfoy and said: - Vis Orbis! Ron's jaw dropped. Malfoy went white. A great energy sphere appeared at the tip of Harry's wand. - RUN!!! Malfoy screamed and then turned away, closely followed by his cronies. - Harry, stop! Ron screamed. And Harry lowered his wand. The sphere disappeared with a faint POP. - Got'em again... Ron looked at him for a moment and then laughed. Soon, it was 7 o'clock. Harry and Ron dressed. Ron had received a new dress- robe from Fred and George for Christmas. It was black and stylish. Ron admired himself in the mirror and grinned evilly. Then, he and Harry went down to the common room. The waited for about 5 minutes and then Helena and Hermione appeared. And suddenly the room was silent. No one moved, no one breathed. Everybody was looking at the two angels that were descending with infinite grace into the world of the mortals. Hermione had a black night gown, with subtle sparkles appearing upon its surface when light hit it. Her hair was left loose and was beautifully floating above her white shoulders. Slowly she glided towards Ron. As for Helena, she was absolutely gorgeous. She was wearing a white dress that contrasted beautifully with her long, dark hair. An aura of light seemed to surround her as she floated towards a breathless Harry. - Shall we? she asked. - Yes...You...We...Now...Um.... Helena laughed and then said: - What's the matter, Harry? - I...um... You are so beautiful! - Thanks! Meanwhile, Hermione was trying to remember the counter-curse to the stunning spell, because Ron seemed to be under its influence. She raised her wand and then Ron spoke: - Stop... What... - Oh, Ron...I thought someone had stunned you... - Yes...Someone did stun me...You did! You look absolutely....Smashing! Hermione smiled and Ron reached her his hand, as Michael had taught him. Harry did the same with Helena and the four left the common room, followed by the gazes of stunned Gryffindors. In front of the Great Hall, a large group of students were gathered waiting for the moment when the doors would open. As Harry, Helena, Ron and Hemione approached them, all conversations stopped. Feeling strange, they advanced through the group of students and, fortunately, the doors opened the moment they arrived in front of them. The Great Hall was decorated like in fairy-tales. White lace covered the walls. Hundreds of tables were arranged in front of a large, empty space. The teacher's table was full of plates, filled with food, sweets and drinks. Albus Dumbledore was waiting for the students. Soon, the Hall filled. Harry, Helena, Ron and Hermione sat at a table in front of the dancing ring. And then, Dumbledore said: - Welcome! Welcome to the Hogwarts Christmas Ball, a new tradition here at Hogwarts. The ball, as you know is open for all students. Those being said, have fun! Dumbledore lifted his arm and suddenly, almost all lights went out. Music started out of nowhere. Harry felt his heart sink, but then looked at Ron. Ron looked back, they both grinned and then Harry said: - Helena, would you dance with me? And Ron said: - Hermione, may I have this dance? The girls blushed, but smiled happily and got up. Soon they were on the dance floor, surrounded by some other couples. Harry was suddenly feeling as light as a feather and forgot everything else. He began to move with the rhythm, and didn't notice when everyone else stopped to make room for him and Ron. Indeed, the whole school was charmed by the two couples that were easily gliding on the dance floor. Too soon, the melody ended but was shortly followed by another one and then another. Other couples had joined Harry, Helena, Ron and Hermione but a spotlight was still focused upon them. After the fifth dance, Harry saw Michael in a far corner of the Hall smiling. Soon, in spite of the tremendous fun, Harry, Helena, Ron and Hermione were tired and had to retreat to a table. There they sat down. - My God, Harry, you really are something! You're the best dancer I've ever known! - Wait till you dance with Ron! said Hermione, kissing him on the cheek. The boys blushed. And then the room became a blur. Harry heard Ron say "He's getting into a trance again!" and then everything vanished and was replaced by the familiar room with Lily Potter standing in the middle. - Harry? Already??? Incredible! - What? said Harry, still a bit dizzy from the transfer. - You are here! Much earlier than we expected! You are truly great! - Thanks... Harry shook his head. He didn't need this now. But then he decided to hurry. He looked around. His eyes fell on the door made of the white material that resembled fog. Harry approached it. "What now?" he thought. He closed his eyes and scanned the door with his mind. Hundreds of words suddenly flooded his mind. It was as though he was in a room filled with people who were all yelling at him. He took one step back. And then he thought. To go past the door, he had to stop the voices. But why? What did those voices have to do with the door? And then he understood. He had to isolate the voice of the door! Again he approached the mass of fog. He closed his eyes and the voices flooded him. But then he concentrated on the door. On the mass of fog, the white, moving mass of fog... And the voices started to fade. Soon only one voice remained. - What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? it was repeating annoyingly. - Open! said Harry. Nothing. No sound... Harry opened his eyes. In front of him, there was a small corridor and a small, white, wooden door. Harry approached it. - Alohomora. he said. Nothing. He scanned the door. It was sealed in five different places. He scanned the area with his mind. No switch, no button, no key. Something was not right. And then he had a sudden idea. He stepped back, lifted his arm and said: "Vis Orbis!" and then quickly: "Praesidium!" The energy sphere collided with the door. After the flash of light dispersed, Harry opened his eyes. The door was unharmed. Puzzled, Harry approached the door again. He closed his eyes and touched it. Nothing. And then he scanned the area beneath the door. To Harry's surprise it was a small room and in the middle of it, he felt a person. It was probably a girl, because she was wearing a dress and she had long hair. "Now what?" Harry thought. And then he understood. Telepathy! If the first probe was Telekinesis, this one had to be Telepathy! He had to contact the girl on the other side of the door and ask her to open the door. He concentrated. He felt his mind alone, floating in a dark, unfriendly space. And then he imagined the mind of the girl close to him. - Hello, he said to it. Nothing. He concentrated harder. - Hello, he said again. And this time, she answered from somewhere far, far away. - Harry? Harry? What's going on? I can't see anything! - Helena? - Yes, it's me! - What happened? - I don't know... After you slipped into the trance, the whole room became a blur and I was transported here. And it's all dark, and I can't see anything! - You are in a small room... And I think you're supposed to let me in... - I am? But how... Oh! Oh... - What? - There's a key in my hand! - Really? Oh, yes! I can feel it! Hang on, I'm coming! Harry opened his eyes. He could still feel the key in Helena's hand. Using the Telekinesis he grabbed it with his mind and inserted it in the keyhole on the other side of the door. Slowly, it opened. Harry realized he could use the Telekinesis much better now but then he saw Helena. She was looking curiously around. As the door had opened, the room had filled with light. The walls were made from the same material as the door and the floor was like a big cloud. - Wow, Harry! I love this place! What is it? - That's what I'm trying to find out... Anyway, soon we will be transported back... Get ready. - Ok... A few moments passed. And then Harry scanned the surroundings with his mind. And he heard a voice... It was his mother. He concentrated on her. "Harry! Come here! In the main room. Please!" she said. Harry took Helena by her hand and then went into the main room. There, he saw his mother talking to his father. As he approached them, James said: - Thank you Harry, for bringing me and your mother together. Harry smiled awkwardly, not knowing exactly what he had done. And then dizziness swept over him, as he was transported back to the Great Hall. There, he came face to face with Ron. He and Hermione had covered him up while he was in the trance. No one had noticed his lack of consciousness.
- Harry! You're back! - Yes... Helena? Are you ok? - Yes... That was strange! - What? asked Hermione. - I was transferred into his mind too! - You what? - Come, let's go outside! said Harry. Taking Helena's arm he followed Ron and Hermione onto the beautifully arranged terrace. There, Harry told them what had happened. - So now you can like... tell me something without speaking? - I guess... - Do it! Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on the surroundings. And then the familiar noise of hundreds of minds talking at the same time flooded him. He concentrated on Ron. Soon, the voices began to fade away, and soon there was only Ron's voice left, saying: - Oh my god! His veins are going to explode! - No, they're not, Harry said, feeling Ron jump. - Harry? That's bloody brilliant! How do you do that? - You just concentrate! Oh...OH!!! I just had an idea! - What? Ron asked. - Imagine how we're going to copy at the OWL's ! I'll just ask Hermione or Helena and then I'll tell you! - Wicked! Suddenly, Harry felt his head explode. It was too much. He fell to the ground. - Harry! Harry? Are you ok? - Yes...yes, he answered in a weak tone. Could you get me a glass of water?
- Sure, answered Ron. He ran away. A few moments passed and then Ron's scream filled the terrace.
- RON! Hermione screamed as she ran after him. Harry succeeded to get up and, followed by Helena, followed Hermione. Soon, they found her standing next to Ron. - What happened? asked Harry. - Nothing, answered Ron on a neutral tone. There was no feeling in his voice. I just tripped. - Are you sure? asked Hermione, worried. - Yes. I will get the drinks now. Hermione watched him as he disappeared behind a group of Ravenclaw's, hiding something in his pocket. Soon, Ron returned with three glasses. Two were filled with pumpkin juice. The third was filled with water. He handed the pumpkin juice to the girls and the water to Harry. Harry thanked and then approached the glass to his lips. And suddenly he felt danger. He wasn't sure why, but something told him not to drink the water. He looked at Ron and then said: - Ron... What's this? - Water, you fool! What does it look like? Harry's eyes widened. - What? - Sorry, I meant, it's water, answered Ron, annoyed. Harry looked at the water. And then he threw it away. - What did you do that for, you insolent fool?!? screamed Ron. - That was not water, and we both know it! Ron seemed to swell with rage. He raised his wand. - Expelliarmus! shouted Harry. Ron's wand disappeared somewhere in the bushes. Hermione screamed: - Harry!?! What are you doing? - Grab him! Harry shouted. Ron raised his fist. Harry ducked in time to avoid the blow. Ron raised his fist again, but Fred caught him in time. George grabbed his other hand, and then they both held Ron tightly to the floor. But Ron was still resisting with an unnatural force. - Stun him! Fred yelled. - No! Harry said. Just hold him a little while longer! - What? Ok... We'll try. Jordan, come give us a hand! George answered. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on Ron. Soon, he felt Ron's mind...And there was a foreign presence in there. "The Imperius Curse!", Harry whispered. Then he concentrated on the other presence. "Fight it, Ron, fight it!!!" He felt the other presence slowly leaving Ron's mind. "Just a little more, Ron, push it away! Hold on!" The presence was now fighting to regain control. And then Harry felt his power rise within him. He was suddenly very nervous. And he kicked the "other presence" out of his friends mind. Ron stopped struggling. Harry saw him open his eyes slowly, like after a very long sleep. And then darkness surrounded him. He woke up a few minutes later as they carried him on a stretcher to the hospital wing. Ron was walking near him, looking worried and extremely tired. Soon they arrived and Dumbledore, seeing that he's awake, told madam Pomfrey to get some kind of potion and then said: - Are you ok, Harry? - Yes, professor, I'm fine...just tired. - Ok, you will get your rest... But do you think you can explain what happened before you go to sleep? - Yes professor... Um... We heard Ron scream...and then he said he's fine...and he went to get some water. And when he came back, I just felt that there was poison in the water. - Hmmm... - And then Ron just got all nervous and I knew Ron wasn't like that, so Fred and George kept him and I... entered his mind...and I felt someone there. So I realized it has to be the Imperius curse...and I...somehow...removed it. Dumbledore looked at him for a moment and then said: - You need your rest now, Harry. After you recover...if you ever feel like...you have to say something to someone, come and pay me a visit. - Yes, professor. Madam Pomfrey arrived with a small cup of something and Harry drank it all. It tasted like strawberries.....